When someone dedicates their life to solving complex societal problems through research, education, and service, their legacy extends far beyond papers published or students taught. Such is the case with Professor Richard “Dick” Larson, whose generous gift has established the Distinguished Professorship in Data, Systems, and Society at MIT. This endowment is not just a financial contribution — it’s a profound statement of purpose, vision, and trust in the future of interdisciplinary collaboration. It also reaffirms Larson’s decades-long dedication to innovation at the intersection of data science, operational systems, and social impact.
The creation of this endowed chair, effective July 1, is both a personal milestone and a strategic investment in MIT’s long-term academic excellence. Named in full as the Distinguished Professorship in Data, Systems, and Society, this role will support a senior faculty member within the Institute for Data, Systems, and Society (IDSS). It’s a position intended not only to reward excellence but to serve as a platform for leadership in interdisciplinary research and education. For Larson, this professorship is a means to perpetuate the intellectual themes that have defined his journey.
From electrical engineering in the 1960s to cutting-edge data-driven research today, Larson’s academic evolution embodies the very ethos of MIT — adaptive, forward-thinking, and grounded in real-world impact. His work has spanned emergency systems, pandemics, smart homes, and education reform, always grounded in the belief that data and systems thinking can—and must—serve society. By establishing this chair, he ensures that future generations of researchers and educators can continue that mission.
From Engineering to Interdisciplinary Innovation
Richard Larson’s academic path at MIT is a reflection of intellectual curiosity that knows no boundaries. Beginning in electrical engineering, Larson’s focus quickly expanded into the emerging field of operations research. But unlike traditional trajectories, he continued to reinvent himself — not once, but repeatedly. Over the decades, he contributed to five different MIT departments, aligning his work with pressing societal needs each time. His journey ultimately culminated in the IDSS — a space where data, systems, and social challenges converge.
According to Larson, the three words in the IDSS name — data, systems, society — are not just institutional branding; they represent the essence of his second-half career focus. His professorship gift is a way to keep these principles vibrant within the academic community. “MIT has not only accepted but embraced my several mid-career changes of direction,” he reflects. “Those beautiful three words — data, systems, society — represent my energy and commitment. My gifted chair is an effort to keep alive those three words, with others following me doing research, teaching and mentoring centered around data, systems, society.”
His influence spans practical and theoretical realms alike. From designing smarter emergency response systems to advocating for technology-enabled education platforms like MIT BLOSSOMS, Larson has consistently operated at the interface of need and solution. His gift is, in many ways, the culmination of that approach — institutionalizing the kind of scholarship that transforms ideas into tangible outcomes.
Enabling the Future of Interdisciplinary Leadership
The inaugural holder of the Richard Larson-endowed professorship is Professor Sasha Rakhlin, a respected scholar in both IDSS and MIT’s Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences. His work, which integrates statistics, computation, and machine learning, exemplifies the interdisciplinary vision Larson has long championed. Rakhlin’s research focuses on foundational aspects of learning — analyzing neural network complexity and developing tools for sequential (or “online”) prediction. It’s precisely the kind of forward-thinking scholarship that the new chair aims to support.
IDSS Director Fotini Christia notes the symbolic importance of Larson’s gift. “Dick Larson has been making an impact at MIT for over half a century. This gift extends his already considerable legacy and ensures his impact will continue to be felt for many years to come.” The choice of Rakhlin as the first to hold this position reflects both scholarly excellence and a commitment to the cross-disciplinary mission of IDSS.
Professor Michael Fee, head of the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, echoes this sentiment: “Sasha’s analysis of neural network complexity, and his work developing tools for online prediction, are perfect examples of research which builds bridges across disciplines, and also connects different departments and units at MIT.” He also highlights the broader collaborative spirit that the professorship is designed to foster — one that not only connects departments, but also propels innovation with societal relevance.
A Career of Solving Real-World Challenges
Larson’s career has never been confined to academic theory. His work has always found application in real-world systems, especially those that affect public welfare. His pioneering research in urban service systems — particularly emergency response mechanisms — has saved lives. He has advised governments and public organizations on disaster planning and public health systems, with special focus on pandemics and crisis response. Larson’s insights have informed how cities plan ambulance routing, police dispatching, and more recently, how technology can make homes smarter and energy use more efficient.
His contributions extend to workforce planning and the logistics of public services, areas where mathematical models intersect directly with human lives. Larson has also played an instrumental role in reshaping STEM education. Through MIT BLOSSOMS (Blended Learning Open Source Science or Math Studies), he has developed high-quality video lessons aimed at secondary school students worldwide. These efforts are rooted in his firm belief that access to education — particularly in data and systems thinking — is fundamental to societal progress.
His most recent book, Model Thinking for Everyday Life, distills decades of academic knowledge into accessible tools for broader audiences. In it, Larson presents operations research and systems modeling as essential life skills — demonstrating how mathematical thinking can inform decision-making in everyday contexts. Whether through this book, his teaching, or his new professorship, Larson is ensuring that his work continues to influence minds beyond the walls of MIT.
Endowing Legacy Through Professorship
Endowed chairs are among the most enduring contributions one can make to academia. They create a perpetual source of support for faculty, often attracting and retaining top talent. In Larson’s case, the chair is a direct extension of his vision for IDSS. It symbolizes a belief that interdisciplinary work — especially that which spans data, systems, and society — is not a luxury, but a necessity for addressing today’s complex problems.
The timing of this gift is also significant. As technological advancements accelerate, and as global challenges become increasingly interconnected, the need for academic leadership that can work across traditional disciplinary boundaries has never been more urgent. The Distinguished Professorship in Data, Systems, and Society will serve as a catalyst for such leadership — empowering scholars to innovate freely, mentor the next generation, and pursue work that bridges theory and practice.
Rakhlin, now the standard-bearer of this vision, acknowledges the weight of that responsibility. “I am honored to be the inaugural holder of the Distinguished Professorship in Data, Systems, and Society,” he says. “Professor Larson’s commitment to education and service to MIT both serve as models to follow.” In many ways, this moment represents the passing of a torch — from one pioneering scholar to another, with the future of interdisciplinary science at MIT all the brighter for it.
Teaching, Mentorship, and Intellectual Generosity
One of the hallmarks of Larson’s career has been his dedication to mentorship. Over the years, he has advised countless students, many of whom have gone on to become leaders in academia, government, and industry. His generosity with time, ideas, and encouragement has had a ripple effect far beyond his direct collaborators. That spirit of mentorship is embedded in the new professorship — which not only supports research but also emphasizes the value of teaching and guiding young minds.
This commitment to mentorship is reflected in the ethos of IDSS itself, where faculty are encouraged to integrate education, service, and research. The professorship, in supporting senior faculty, ensures that experienced scholars like Rakhlin can devote time and resources not just to their own work, but to fostering community within MIT and beyond. In that sense, the gift is not simply an investment in one person, but in the collective growth of a learning ecosystem.
By institutionalizing his values through this professorship, Larson has taken a personal legacy and made it part of MIT’s ongoing story. His name, now permanently attached to a position of leadership in data, systems, and society, will remind future generations of scholars that great research begins with curiosity, is sustained by integrity, and is made meaningful through service.
A Vision That Endures
Richard Larson’s establishment of the Distinguished Professorship in Data, Systems, and Society is not just a philanthropic act — it’s a deeply personal reflection of a lifetime dedicated to meaningful inquiry and purposeful action. It stands as a beacon for the kind of work MIT strives to champion: research that doesn’t just live in journals but changes the world.
By supporting faculty like Sasha Rakhlin and enabling them to continue their groundbreaking research, Larson has ensured that the values he holds dear will continue to thrive within MIT’s academic framework. The professorship is a powerful reminder that individual generosity can fuel collective progress — and that the true measure of a scholar is not only what they discover but also what they enable others to achieve.
As the field of data, systems, and society grows in complexity and importance, this endowed chair will serve as both anchor and catalyst — rooted in Larson’s legacy and reaching toward the future.
